How to survive on less sleep - TIME
I don’t have a multi-million dollar company (yet), but I’m one of those CEOs who function on 3-5 hours of sleep.
No, there aren’t any drugs involved, nor is there poor management (as far as I know). It’s a variety of things.
First, reduce TV. You sleep much better, and do much more work, when you don’t watch much TV. Your brain is actually less active watching TV than when it’s sleeping. This dullness is addictive. My daughter becomes a giant mess when she watches too much TV — huge tantrums, crying, screaming, complete meltdown. She doesn’t want to eat or listen. It’s like she’s addicted, and I’m taking away her drug. My husband is very similar, without the actual crying. He just sort of grunts more. I’m not certain it happens with everyone, but I’d be surprised if most people aren’t highly susceptible to this “one more show” mentality, and the gape-mouthed stare is the death knell for good work, good eating, good sleep or good play.
Second, limit carbohydrates. For me, anyway — they just make me sleepy.
Third, limit meetings. Same as carbs. Blah blah blah — hate just droning on, or being droned at. Nothing good comes of this.
Fourth, I actually have specific hours I need to sleep to do well, not a specific number of hours. It’s a quirk of my circadian rhythm, and it’s been that way since my 20s. If I can sleep from 4 to 8am, I’m very happy. However, my home life doesn’t permit that, so I usually end up sleeping from 1-4am, and 5-6:30am. I have a hard time sleeping in the early morning hours, and love the morning (once I drag myself out of bed).
Fifth, when I get a few energy slumps, I rely on some tried and true solutions: I switch tasks to things I really like (so I save that stuff for sleepy times). I hang out on Quora (dangerous, because I’m on here WAY longer than I should be. There should be a stopwatch or a clock on this thing…!) I go outside. I email or chat with someone personal (not usually on the phone—hate the phone.) I play a set number of solitaire hands. I read the news or, if read, one of three gossip sites I frequent (I’m not proud.) Or, if all else fails, I take a nap. I usually sleep more on slower days or if nothing is happening on a weekend, but it works out.
Sixth, and most important, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOVE WHAT I DO. I love it so much! I am so incredibly happy that I get to do my job. I have days that suck. I have strings of days that suck. But they are just sucky days — my life is still pretty spectacularly awesome. It makes me excited to wake up, to take the conference call I had today set at the incredibly ludicrous time of 6:30am, to take calls and go to meetings while visiting family, to get over shyness and speak to the stranger next to me on the airplane, to spend the evening playing with my daughter knowing that I’ll be working on a document until 4 am and begging Kinko’s for something (and I HATE begging.)
I mostly just think I am a very lucky person. I have a (pretty) supportive spouse, a fantastic kid, a wonderful dog. I’m healthy, I’m privileged to run a company that is about to split into 2, with customers that are acolytes that spare me marketing dollars. People believe in me and my ability to lead, they believe in what I’ve created. I do something that I think makes a difference in the world. And today I’m having a pretty good hair day.
I don’t really worry about the sleep that I get. I get what I can, and do what I have to do every day. Everyone around me is trying to help me out (for the most part), I keep my priorities in order (my kid never suffers, I can’t make myself sick), and I just focus on what I have immediately ahead and in the near future, and what I need to get those done. I truly believe it will all benefit everyone in the end, and my support group does, too. more
No, there aren’t any drugs involved, nor is there poor management (as far as I know). It’s a variety of things.
First, reduce TV. You sleep much better, and do much more work, when you don’t watch much TV. Your brain is actually less active watching TV than when it’s sleeping. This dullness is addictive. My daughter becomes a giant mess when she watches too much TV — huge tantrums, crying, screaming, complete meltdown. She doesn’t want to eat or listen. It’s like she’s addicted, and I’m taking away her drug. My husband is very similar, without the actual crying. He just sort of grunts more. I’m not certain it happens with everyone, but I’d be surprised if most people aren’t highly susceptible to this “one more show” mentality, and the gape-mouthed stare is the death knell for good work, good eating, good sleep or good play.
Second, limit carbohydrates. For me, anyway — they just make me sleepy.
Third, limit meetings. Same as carbs. Blah blah blah — hate just droning on, or being droned at. Nothing good comes of this.
Fourth, I actually have specific hours I need to sleep to do well, not a specific number of hours. It’s a quirk of my circadian rhythm, and it’s been that way since my 20s. If I can sleep from 4 to 8am, I’m very happy. However, my home life doesn’t permit that, so I usually end up sleeping from 1-4am, and 5-6:30am. I have a hard time sleeping in the early morning hours, and love the morning (once I drag myself out of bed).
Fifth, when I get a few energy slumps, I rely on some tried and true solutions: I switch tasks to things I really like (so I save that stuff for sleepy times). I hang out on Quora (dangerous, because I’m on here WAY longer than I should be. There should be a stopwatch or a clock on this thing…!) I go outside. I email or chat with someone personal (not usually on the phone—hate the phone.) I play a set number of solitaire hands. I read the news or, if read, one of three gossip sites I frequent (I’m not proud.) Or, if all else fails, I take a nap. I usually sleep more on slower days or if nothing is happening on a weekend, but it works out.
Sixth, and most important, I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOVE WHAT I DO. I love it so much! I am so incredibly happy that I get to do my job. I have days that suck. I have strings of days that suck. But they are just sucky days — my life is still pretty spectacularly awesome. It makes me excited to wake up, to take the conference call I had today set at the incredibly ludicrous time of 6:30am, to take calls and go to meetings while visiting family, to get over shyness and speak to the stranger next to me on the airplane, to spend the evening playing with my daughter knowing that I’ll be working on a document until 4 am and begging Kinko’s for something (and I HATE begging.)
I mostly just think I am a very lucky person. I have a (pretty) supportive spouse, a fantastic kid, a wonderful dog. I’m healthy, I’m privileged to run a company that is about to split into 2, with customers that are acolytes that spare me marketing dollars. People believe in me and my ability to lead, they believe in what I’ve created. I do something that I think makes a difference in the world. And today I’m having a pretty good hair day.
I don’t really worry about the sleep that I get. I get what I can, and do what I have to do every day. Everyone around me is trying to help me out (for the most part), I keep my priorities in order (my kid never suffers, I can’t make myself sick), and I just focus on what I have immediately ahead and in the near future, and what I need to get those done. I truly believe it will all benefit everyone in the end, and my support group does, too. more
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One hour intensive Pranayam every day shall slowly reduce duration of your sleep while augmenting intensity in addition to low Cholesterol, low blood sugar, BP on lower side, normal creatinine level. That is my personal experience. 3/4 hr sleep is enough for me. more
Apr 03
Dear Mr. Umesh Kumar: I am tempted to agree with you that 5hours of sleep being sufficient. To a large extent that is not untrue as well. I would rather disagree with Swapnil and dare to suggest to make the sleep between 11pm to 5 or 6am. Early to bed and early to raise are the cardinal principles - age old and will hold good as long as this earth survives. Reason we get fresh air and first sun rays are most beneficial for health and human body hence go out in the morning - do yoga with insistance of pranayam all kinds - in fact these are sufficient forms of exercises but do not limit to them only you mandatorily should do some basic exercises - body feels so freshened up all through the day. There is no need felt to sleep or rest - I am saying this out of personal experience. I am +65 and maintain that ritual. Fortunately as Swapnil suggested, I do not run after money (God's gift), not that I am highly effluent or rich but just about sufficient as on day to see my days through. Keep the mind fresh and light - specially do not load in any way, keep the diversification - which will complement Yogic pranayams. Once mind is peaceful and controlled that sleep time is sufficient. Whenever and wherever I refer to my age and routine, it is not my aggrandaisement but a true appraisal of life style in line with what our culture, upbringing and ages unknown training on N number of human lifes - known by style of Rishis and Munis. Blessed are those who can live that style than follow the mad rush and run for money, fame, growth and et al. At the end what is one going to achieve and take along. One age old preaching that we find is "Mida's gold" - what did he achieve and the most commonly known dialogue - poot sapoot to kyon koyi sanche, poot kapoot to kyon koyi sanche. Essence being going good upbringing, both principled and honest. Be "SELFISH" and save +sufficient enough until one survives. In any case nobody has ever been able to take anything along. Even the richest man's or most powerfull's children are born naked and will go naked and empty handed. This way the children and the progeny will respect and regard the elders as long as they are alive. Thanks to all for reading. Blessings and best wishes to regards to all. more
Apr 03
3-5 hours of sleep everyday! Yet feeling healthy!! Something great!!! All medical systems advocate for 6-8 hours of sleep for adults. Really some good tips for good sleep. But how a normal person like me can manage with sleep less than 6 hours particularly when getting up earlier, leading to drowsiness all the day. I have heard/read of such small sleep for great people of the world but not for normal humans. It will be great to know from you as to how the body can be made to adjust in 3-5 hours of sleep, yet remaining fully active and healthy. more
Apr 03
